The temple, a brilliant chronicle in stone with impressive
sculptures, took 16 years to complete. 1,200 artisans and 12,000 labourers
were employed on the task. In its original form, the total height of the
temple was 229 feet. Set in the middle of a spacious compound (857 ft.
by 540 ft.) which lies about 2m below the surrounding land, the shrine
consisted of a Deula, a Jagamohana (Audience hall), Bhoga Mandap (Dining
Hall) and pillared Natamandapa (Dancing Hall).
The Deula and Jagamohana stand close
to each other above a high platform but the Natamandapa is a detached
structure. The super structure of the main shrine which enshrined the
presiding deity i.e. Deula has fallen down so also the super structure
of the Natamandapa and Bhoga Mandap. The Jagamohana is still intact
in its entirety.
The joint structure of the Vimana (The main sanctum)
and Jagamohana were conceived in the form of a Chariot (Ratha)
of the Sun, drawn by seven impetuous horses, the chariot having 12 pairs
of 8-spoke wheels. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in
a day and others say the 12 months in its concept. The seven horses make
up the seven colours of the prism. The surface of it is intricately carved
with some of the most fantastic sculptures seen in India. Both the main
Deula and the Jagamohana, the ruins of the Natamandapa (dancing hall )and
of the Mayadevi Temple in the Sun Temple compound, are covered with platforms,
horses, floral motifs, colossal mythical animals, whimsical depictions
of daily life, trade, erotic sculptures of amorous dalliances, war
and trade and erotic imagery of human love manifested in countless forms
as marvelous and detailed as those seen at Khajuraho.
There are also huge animal statues: two lions guard the
pyramidal entrance, and on each side of the temple is a colossal war elephant,
and a war horse trampling on fallen warriors. The pyramidal roof
of the temple, made of sandstone, soars over 30 m in height and is constructed
with great precision. Close to the temple compound the richly ornamented
huge Navagraha slab is enshrined in a shed which was originally placed
over the front door of the Jagamohana. On Saturdays and Sankranti days as
well during the Magha Sukla Saptami (Chandrabhaga Mela) in February,
devotees gather to worship the Navagraha.
The temple looks particularly impressive in the evening
as it is illuminated between 6 and 9pm. Today the amphitheater with
the Sun Temple as the backdrop, is the venue of classical dances during
the
Konark Dance Festival in winter usually held from 1st to 5th December
annually.
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